Meera was upset……. It’s been a long night for her, where she spent time lying on the sheet and gazing at the frail looking wall opposite to her. Barring the birthday cut outs and color coordinated balloons there was nothing much, the wall could offer to her anxious eyes. Still she kept on staring at each alphabet focusing more on “Riya” which was glued next to the cut out and which meant the world to her.
Today she is apprehensive of the void that will come into her life with Riya’s marriage. Next week it’s her beloved daughter’s big day and still she is not happy. A feeling of nervousness and emptiness has started to grip in. “What is this restlessness…………? She wonders.
In her despair both time and marriage appear as demons who play their part well in snatching Riya from her. Now that Anil is in deep slumber and there’s no one watching she can cry her heart out. Unable to sleep she sneaks in to the living area and tries to open the cupboard with full force. As soon as her hand pulls the knob, a number of albums big and small make their way out some falling into her lap and some on the floor. Last winter just after Riya’s engagement she had taken some of these and framed them in her wall. Today again she harbors the feeling to walk down the memory lane.
There she finds the pic she loves the most and which she got framed last year. One month
old thumb sucking Riya resting in her arms with her eyes closed. Only she and Anil know
how difficult it was to get her clicked, as she hardly remained silent and was constantly
squealing. Thanks to the photographer’s skill that he could finally take a shot which came
out perfect. As she turned the page, the next one reminded her of Riya’s first Birthday. By
that time her tiny tot had learnt to stand on her own and with her cute small palms, was
constantly making an endeavor to touch the icing of the huge cake.
“How time flies! It seemed like yesterday when my baby girl had learned to speak and today
she is all set to start a new life” exclaimed Meera.
Each snap had a tale to tell. Some described her naughtiness while some her attitude where
she posed like a Diva. Again there were certain where three of them stood like a picture
perfect family sporting a broad smile. It seemed like yesterday when she had her first
school, went on a date, grabbed her first job and finally she will be leaving home…….
thought Meera.
As she kept on turning the pages tears started rolling down her eyes. With each and every click she was reliving some of her most precious moments. She knew she had to be patient and calm as she had to attend to the external details of the wedding with grace but somewhere her emotions were not letting her do so.
Suddenly a photograph caught her attention and there was an instant smile on her face. Little Riya wearing her saree and posing as a bride. How difficult it was to drape her and how cute she looked in that attire. That day when jokingly Anil asked …… “What will happen to your Dad and mom when you get married”
she had her answer ready “I am not going to leave you no matter what!!”. Anil rushed to take her in his arms leaving Meera in tears. Today when the same adorable kid is going to be bride in real sense then why she is having mixed emotions…….?
Every little event associated with Riya was appearing as a flashback before her mind’s eye. She doesn’t want to let her go, wants to keep her safe and protected but again it’s a world which she has to explore on her own. As a mother she can only pray for her happiness. Meera was lost in these thoughts when suddenly someone grabbed her from the back……… “Oh! Maa please don’t be sad, your princess will be there with you forever……………….”
